Latest News from Bulgaria
Russia Denies Applying Pressure on Bulgaria to Change UN Head Candidate
Russia's Foreign Ministry has called "unacceptable" Bulgarian media reports of behind-the-scenes efforts to pressure Sofia into changing its UN Secretary General candidate.
Attempts to exert influence on countries' decisions to nominate one or another candidate are "unacceptable", TASS quotes the ministry's spokersperson Maria Zakharova as saying.
Poland's ex-President Warns Bulgaria against Changing UN Top Job Candidate
Bulgaria stands no chance in the UN Secretary General race if it changes its candidate to take up the office, former Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski has said.
He has argued Bulgaria still has a "historic" chance with Bokova's candidacy.
Bulgaria Not Planning to Build New Migrant Centers
Bulgarian Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova has said the government does not plan to set up new accommodation centers for migrants.
While on a visit to the border areas between Bulgaria and Turkey, she has voiced the cabinet's confidence the existing infrastructure will help address the current inflow of migrants.
Extreme Risk of Fire in 5 Bulgarian Regions on Sunday
Bulgaria's weather service has issued the strongest alert for a risk of wildfires in five of the country's twenty-eight regions.
The regions concerned are mostly in Nothern Bulgaria (Pleven, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse and part of Silistra), along with Haskovo in the south.
Sofia Residents to Protest against Construction Projects in Borisova Garden
A protest is to be held in Bulgaria's capital Sofia on Sunday amid reports of a project to cut down part of the trees and begin construction works in a key city park.
Sofia residents are to begin their deminstration at Ariana Lake, located at the entrance of Borisova garde, at 11:30 local time.
Russia Demands Clear Deadline for Belene Debt Repayment
Russia insists that the decision of the international arbitrage be fulfilled as soon as possible and that Bulgaria pay its debt of Euro 620 M for Belene. Moscow expects Bulgarian authorities to send information about the deadlines for paying the money for the project.
20,000 Decares of Forests Destroyed in Last Twenty Days Alone
"In the last 20 days alone, losses in the forests amount to 20,000 decares or almost as many as for the entire 8 months since the beginning of the year," said the Director of General Directorate Fire Safety and Protection of Population Service, Nikolay Nikolov.
Sofia Busmantsi Detention Centre Overcrowded
About 20,000 migrants have passed through the Sofia Busmantsi Detention Centre. The situation is beyond extreme. Given a capacity of 940 migrants, there are now 1,631 persons or an occupancy rate of 174% . There are 395 persons registered outside the Detention Centre living at their own expense.
Bulgarian Government 'To Nominate Kristalina Georgieva' for UN Secretary General
The Bulgarian government will officially nominate Kristalina Georgieva for Secretary General of the UN, government sources say.
The announcement might be made as early as next week, at an extraordinary cabinet sitting on Tuesday, news website Mediapool quotes the sources as saying.
Donchev: Bulgaria Must Pay for Russian Reactors Immediately
"Before we talk about the fate of the Russian reactors intended for Belene, Bulgaria has to pay," stated Vice Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev. According to him, the interest on the sum decided by international arbitrage is Euro 10 M per month.
Tourism Minister Declares 2016 Most Successful Year in Last 25 Years
2016 is expected to be the most successful year for the tourism industry in the last 25 years, announced in Plovdiv Tourism Minister, Nikolina Angelkova.
In June and July alone, the number of tourists who came to Bulgaria increased by 23.1%, compared to the previous year. In terms of revenues for the same period, the increase is about 14% (BGN 1 B).
Irina Bokova Does Not Receive Fresh Support in UN Vote
Irina Bokova, Bulgaria's candidate for Secretary General of the UN, remained fifth after today's straw poll of the Security Council in New York.
Warlick: Serbia should consider liquefied natural gas from US
BELGRADE - The US had no say in the decision on the South Stream gas pipeline, and for Serbia - whose only gas supply route runs through Ukraine - connecting to the Bulgarian pipeline is a priority, says US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mary Warlick.
Buyuk's Expulsion Is Worrisome Only In a Human Aspect
The expulsion from Bulgaria of the Turkish businessman Abdullah Buyuk is worrisome in a human aspect but there can be no exceptions in a situation where there are foreigners illegally entering the country, stated Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova.
Borissov Meets Special Envoy on Youth Employmet of UN General Secretary
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov had a meeting with the Special Envoy of the General Secretary of the UN on youth employment Werner Faymann. Ensuring a higher quality of life for young people in Bulgaria, as well as overcoming youth unemployment and guaranteeing quality education are among the main priorities of the Bulgarian government, emphasised Borissov.